Support Microlending

Economic Development for Economic Justice

Promoting economic opportunity for communities around the world is an integral part of the Tides mission and the passion of many of our partners. Through collective giving funds and individual partnerships, we have supported grantmaking and investment strategies that have empowered individuals and communities in achieving economic self-determination and sustainability.

Building Grassroots Capital

Our partners have supported numerous nonprofit and grassroots organizations and programs using microenterprise and micro-lending vehicles to address lack of access to capital. Grameen USA Foundation’s Village Phone Direct Program, Refugee Women’s Network, and La Mujer Obrera are just a few of the organizations supported by Tides' partners. Through an innovative mix of mission-related investments, low-to-0% loans, and grants, our partners help further economic empowerment for communities of color, women, and people with disabilities in urban, rural, and indigenous communities both domestically and globally.

Premal Shah: Lending with Mutual Dignity

Premal Shah, president of Microlending phenom Kiva, talks about how raising money "Howard Dean-style" (or "Barack Obama-style") might be able to bring down the cost of borrowing for the world's working poor.